Letter: People have no clue what goes on in class

People have no clue what goes on in class

This is in response to the Jan. 18 letter, “Teachers need to spend time in the private sector.”

Does the governor dictate how you should be evaluated at your job? Are you evaluated on something you have no control over? Does your job require you to have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and to pass a state certification test in your content area(s)? Do you need to take a minimum 30 hours of coursework outside of your workday at your own expense annually to keep current with your trade? Do you have to take work home many evenings that cuts into your family time? When you need to take a day off, do you have to create detailed lesson plans for a substitute? Do you spend your own money on supplies to do your job?

I get paid for only 185 days of work and that is divided into my 10-month salary. I do not get paid for July or August. Can you select any week you want for a vacation? I can’t because I am contractually obligated to be present for those 185 days. I am off (without pay) for one week at Christmas, one week for mid-winter break and one week for spring break. Snow days are a day off without pay, too.

It is not the unions that are crippling the education system, but people who have no clue about what actually goes on in the classroom, making accusations and decisions on how to evaluate teachers.